Just checking

[Macan]

Have any of you had any experience of using vagal maneuvers to help stop an episode!

Keep safe

M

[doodle68]

Tried them many times including blowing into a syringe then getting someone to raise my legs and it didn't work for me but certainly worth a try .

[mjames1 in reply to doodle68]

You're describing the modified Valsalva manuever. Studies show very effective for SVT but not very effective for afib.

JIM

[CDreamer]

yes many times, sometimes it helped, others not but main thing that helped was hydration and electrolytes before the vagal maneuvers. One that worked best for me was rapid leg raises & keeping leg raised for 10-25 mins. Had to be sudden raised legs so you need someone to help. Sometimes took a while - 30-45 mins to convert to NSR & didn’t work every time but worth a try.

[mjames1]

Can't hurt to try, but in general they don't work very well for afib. Don't know your situation, but if you qualify, something like a Pill in Pocket (PIP) dose of Flecainide gets many of us out of an episode within 1-4 hours. Something to discuss with your doctor.

Jim

[jeanjeannie50]

The Valsalva Manoeuvre worked well for me for the first few weeks after having an ablation.

These are all the tips I’ve saved over the years, given by forum members, that have helped to stop AF:

I am a therapist in private practice for over 20yrs.One of my therapies is yoga based. Having quite an accurate knowledge of anatomy, neurology and physiology also having PAF I have found this technique helps me immensely when my heart is fluttering like crazy. Make yourself comfortable either on a bed or lying on the floor, position a pillow under you head, Raise your left arm in an extension position as if you are doing the backward crawl. Stretch as much as you can and imagine that it is stretching your heart muscle...I bend my arm and position my hand under my head palm upwards.. Stay in that position for as long as you can or until the fluttering subsides...At the same time I think of something pleasant. It does not matter what you think about as long as it is a pleasant thought for you. This stops my heart jumping about almost instantly....I also place my right hand over my heart area...Don't panic and just keep calm thinking pleasant thoughts....I do hope this helps you. Kind Regards. C

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As someone else who finds yoga breathing and some positions helpful, I would love to try (xxxx) suggestion, but lying down flat tends to make things worse for me. My most helpful position, taught me by a lovely yoga teacher, is based on a yoga forward bend. I sit up with my legs outstretched in front of me and a pillow under my knees, and then bend forward from the hips not the waist, with my arms relaxed but outstretched towards my ankles, and breath deeply and slowly. It's not so good on a full stomach and is more comfortable with your knees slightly apart, and I guess you have to be a bit flexible to find it comfortable, but it has proved to be a great help.

I agree with (xxxx) that staying calm and focusing on something pleasant is a must, and I've even fallen asleep like this as most of my episodes occur at night. All the best Liz

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Finally, like AV nodal re-entry, some people have recurrent rapid rhythms that are infrequent and easy to self-control by using various methods to increase neural slowing to the AV node (so-called, "vagal manoeuvrers"). Using these manoeuvrers, one can sometimes stop the arrhythmia. These manoeuvrers include:

Bearing down forcefully like you're having a bowel movement for 5-10 seconds, then slowly exhaling in the neck while lying down for approximately 5 seconds

Placing very cold (soaked in ICE water) cloth on the face abruptly.

Coughing forcefully

Rubbing the carotid artery (only one side at a time, never both)

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There's a yoga breathing exercise that has worked for me before. Lie on your back, bend your knees up so they are above your hips and your lower legs are at 90 degrees. Take a breath in for a count of 4 then breathe out for a count of at least 8. As you breathe out, bring your knees into your chest so you curl into a ball. When you think you've got all the air out of your lungs, try and breathe out more! Breathe in again for 4 and release your legs out to the starting position. Repeat several times. It helps to reset the diaphragm and focus should be on a good long out-breath.

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So, after discovering that making myself sneeze stops Afib. I have discovered another novel way to stop an attack. It involves drinking a litre bottle of water while holding my nose. It's especially effective if I experience almost panic as I can't get a breath. I don't always finish the bottle but find that's not always necessary to gain the desired effect. Works especially well if I catch an attack early. Kenny

Please let me know if any of these procedures work.

Jean

[Macan in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi All

Thanks so much for all the information.

I will post with more information as soon as I can. These types of boards really do tend to renew one’s faith in human nature.

Best wishes

M

[Crumble2 in reply to Macan]

Having a really good belly laugh with my family has put my heart back into rhythm a few times. And having a lukewarm shower often works as well.

[OzRob]

Check out my past posts. If you have vagal AF then yes, Vagal maneuverers will work for you.

You need to work out if you have Vagal AF. First question is when do you have AF episodes?